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Oh, Henry.

When I was a kid I dreamed of being a pro baseball player. Specifically, I wanted to play shortstop for the Red Sox. As I began studying the science of hitting, Henry Aaron became one of my idols. Even though he was at the end of his career when I started playing, I knew Aaron’s swing was something to emulate. Like Hammerin’ Hank, I became a “top hand” hitter, employing a quick snap of the wrists rather than a long, sweeping, lunging “arm” swing. It must have worked; between the two of us, Aaron and I hit 755 major league home runs (okay, he hit all 755 of them, but still…). I consider Aaron, rather than the bloated, steroidal freak Barry Bonds, to be baseball’s all time home run king.

This personal background makes it extremely difficult to understand, or accept, that Hank Aaron, now 80 years old, has become a moonbat.

How else can one describe Aaron, following his recent rant to USA Today? Of race relations in America, Aaron said “Sure, this country has a black president, but…President Obama is left with his foot stuck in the mud from all of the Republicans with the way he’s treated.” That was bad enough, but Hank kept on hammerin’: “The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts.”

So in Hank Aaron’s world, there’s an equivalence between barbarous Klansmen who hanged innocent people and politicians who have policy differences with another politician who happens to be black.

Aaron gracefully endured heartless racism during his historic chase of Babe Ruth’s home run record. But that was 40 years ago. Can’t he give America credit–if only a little bit–for changing? Most Americans have given up their racial bitterness. It’s time Hank Aaron did the same.

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Blog Author

Steve Tefft

This blog is a shining light of conservatism admidst a swirling sea of liberal nuttery, with an occasional look at sports. I'm a native New Englander, lifelong Sox addict, Cape wash-ashore since 1989, happily married and proud father of the next big ... Read Full